TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Kansas House members have given first-round approval to a proposed amendment to the state constitution aimed at blocking lawsuits over education funding.
The measure advanced Tuesday on a 91-31 vote to final action, which is expected Wednesday.
The amendment would declare that courts or the executive branch couldn’t direct the Legislature to appropriate money. The proposal is backed by Republican Gov. Sam Brownback and GOP leaders in both chambers.
The Kansas Constitution currently says the state cannot spend any money unless the Legislature makes a specific appropriation. But in decisions in a school finance lawsuit in 2005 and 2006, the state Supreme Court told lawmakers they had to increase aid to public schools. The court also set specific figures.
Supporters want to put the proposal on the November ballot.
